See children's movies at Chicago International Film Festival

On Nov. 4, Gorton Community Center in Lake Forest will host the Chicago International Film Festival, presented by Facets Multi-Media.

Facets Multi-Media has focused on developing innovative programs for children for more than 35 years. The mission of Facets Children's Programs is to foster an appreciation of media, teaching children, parents, and educators to recognize their emotional response to media to help them understand media's messages, articulate their thoughts and opinions, and develop original ideas into short films.

Four films will be screened on Sunday, Nov. 4, beginning at 10 a.m.:

• "By My Side": 10 a.m. Intended for ages 1-6. Features a series of shorts: In one, a bird couple is looking for their ideal home; in another, a very particular pig needs to figure out just what his duck neighbor's antics are all about; in another, Bear is stuck in a cave - can he rely on the little forest creatures to help get him out?; in the last short, Evi and her grandfather create the perfect tea party from some unlikely treasures.

• "The Highway Rat": 12:30 p.m. Intended for ages 5-8. An animated family film based on the much-loved children's book written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler. The film recounts the story of a dastardly rat bandit who's smitten with sweets. His catchphrase is: "Give me your pastries and puddings! Give me your chocolate and cake! For I am the Rat of the Highway, and whatever I want I take!" Featuring the voices of David Tennant, Rob Brydon and Frances de la Tour.

• "Out and About" 3 p.m. Intended for ages 8 and older. These adventurous folk tales are full of giants, barnyard misfits and excitement. In the first film, three barn animals go through a series of hilarious mishaps and misadventures. In another, Hilda lives in the countryside with her mother and her pet deer. They live in harmony with woodland beings like the Hidden People, the mysterious Giant who only visits sporadically at night, the droll Wooden Man, and various other elves and trolls. When the Hidden People try to evict Hilda, she resolves to do everything she can to preserve her turf. However, being a good neighbor is a lot more complicated than she thought, and she soon sets out on a series of adventures in order to protect her beloved home.

• "Animation Station": 5 p.m. Intended for ages 10-13. The animated short films in this collection - including both stop-motion and line-drawn works - have piqued the interest of the festival's tween focus group. One film is based on a Neil Gaiman poem and it depicts a character who seeks to tempt the viewer into questioning reality. In another film, an Oscar-nominated director offers an Edward Gorey-esque series of monster vignettes. In the last short, a man proves that wealth is not the true source of happiness.

Tickets may be purchased online for $10 per screening or $35 for a festival pass. To learn more or to buy tickets, visit gortoncenter.org/film/chicago-international-childrens-film-fesitval.

Gorton Community Center is at 400 E. Illinois Road, Lake Forest.